Winter wheat was beginning to show signs of drought stress.

Topsoil moisture was rated at 23 percent very short, 38 percent short and 38 percent adequate. Subsoil moisture was rated at 36 percent very short, 38 percent short and 25 percent adequate.

Reports indicate that high winds are causing evaporation of topsoil moisture. There are also some reports of cutworm damage in the central part of the state.

The consensus of those reporting to the ag statistics service is that those who irrigate wish to start as soon as possible.

Seeding of spring wheat, barley and oats and the emergence of those crops are now slightly ahead of the five-year average, while sugar beet planting and emergence are slightly behind the five-year average.

The service reported calving was 93 percent complete by the end of last week, on pace with the average, while lambing at 86 percent complete was ahead of the average of 80 percent for this time of year.

Twenty percent of the cattle and calves and 23 percent of the sheep were reported moved to summer ranges, but there are still concerns about water shortages for livestock. Stream flow is less than normal and while pastures are greening, theyre not growing much.

Without more rain there will be less forage than needed and producers are running out of hay, the service reported.